Your Community: Santa Clarita 4th of July Parade lineup

The Santa Clarita Fourth of July Parade — a Santa Clarita Valley tradition since 1932 — steps out at 9 a.m. Thursday from the corner of Newhall Avenue and Main Street to celebrate the nation’s 236th birthday.

The theme this year — as every year — is Celebrating America’s Independence — with a special 2012 focus on Santa Clarita Valley volunteers.

If you join this year’s festivities, you’ll be likely to see some friends and neighbors; entries range from elected officials to service clubs to volunteer organizations to local church congregations and businesses.

If you love the neighborly ambience, come to downtown Newhall before the parade to enjoy the annual Rotary Club pancake breakfast and watch running enthusiasts start the day with a dash down Main Street.

The day’s activities continue into the evening with fireworks shows in several locations.

Here's a list of local activities:

Santa Clarita Rotary ClubPancake BreakfastWhat: The breakfast, at $4, includes pancakes or blueberry pancakes, sausages, orange juice and coffee. This year the menu includes grits and molasses as well. There will be live classic rock and roll music by J.C. Burnett.Where: Held in Newhall at the Roger Dunn Golf parking lot on Main Street between 5th and 6th StreetsWhen: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.Info: For information email Chris Ball at chris@ballcm.com.

Independence Day Classic RunWhat: Presented by the Santa Clarita Runners, as always there will be a 5K race, and a non-competitive walk, as well as a Kiddie K. The races will benefit the high school cross country programs in the SCV. Register early as there are a limited supply of technical shirts and goody bags for 5K and 10K participants. Kids K participants receive a finishing medal. Where: Newhall Memorial Park, 24933 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321When: 10K begins at 7 a.m., Kiddie K starts at 7:45 a.m., 5K and walk start at 8 a.m.Info: Register at www.Active.com or visit www.SCRunners.org

Santa Clarita 4th of July ParadeWhat: Jim and Bobby Stone, 40-year parade volunteers will be grand marshals of this year’s parade (with the theme of Santa Clarita volunteers). As always, the parade will be loaded with horses, floats, music, fire trucks, kids, cars, military and more. Where: Parade runs north along Main Street (formerly San Fernando Road) from 5th Street to Lyons Avenue, turns west on Lyons and then north onto Orchard Village Road, ending at 16th Street. (Note: Street closures begin at 7 a.m. – Main Street both directions from Pine Street to Lyons Avenue; Lyons both directions from Main Street to Orchard Village Road; Orchard Village both directions from Lyons to 16th Street; 16th Street.)When: Parade begins at 9 a.m.Info: Visit www.scvparade.com for maps, detour routes, street closures and other information.

Castaic Lake 4th of JulyWhat: Enjoy the lake and recreation area all day for $25 per carload or $5 per person walk-in (5 years and under free) — followed by music and fireworks. There will be water slides and jumpers from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Castaic Lake Recreational AreaWhen: Music from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.Info: Call 661-257-4050